Immunisation against gonadotrophin releasing factor increases fat deposition in finisher pigs

Authors

Bruce P. Mullan, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
J C. Kim, Department of Agriculture and Food WA
F R. Dunshea, University of Melbourne

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-11-2015

Journal Title

Animal Production Science

ISSN

Print: 1836-0939 Electronic: 1836-5787

Keywords

pork, pigs, swine, immunisation, gonadatrophin

Disciplines

Agriculture | Meat Science | Other Animal Sciences

Abstract

Immunisation against gonadotrophin releasing factor (GnRF) is associated with an increase in backfat and carcass fatness and a decrease in lean meat content. However, the timing of the increase in fatness and how it is impacted by feed intake and the weight at which the second immunisation of GnRF is given needs to be further explored to enable strategies to be developed to minimise the increase in carcass fatness. The hypothesis was that pigs that have been immunised against GnRF at heavy live weights (80 kg) and fed ad libitum would deposit more fat than those immunised at light live weights (50 kg) or fed restrictively.

Recommended Citation

Moore K. L., Mullan B. P., Kim J. C., Dunshea F. R. (2015) Immunisation against gonadotrophin releasing factor increases fat deposition in finisher pigs. Animal Production Science 55, 1472-1472. https://doi.org/10.1071/ANv55n12Ab044